Aggressive on the ground

[Runzbarrel]

My new Macaw that I've only had a few days gets pretty nippy when he's on the ground. He gets really excited when he's walking around too. Constantly banging the floor or hard surface and regurgitating. When I try to pick him back up he usually lunges at me. He'll do it a few times before finally deciding to be nice again and step up like a good boy. I'd like to try and eliminate this behavior if possible. When he does lunge after me I hold my ground and firmly say No, don't bite. Then after a few seconds I will talk nice and ask him to step up again. He's used to having free reign but I can't allow him that here because of my son. Any ideas or thoughts?

 

[JerseyWendy]

Hi Jackie,

Do you happen to know Crackers age? It's quite possible he's acting a bit 'hormonal' at the moment, but if that's the case - then this shall pass.

It might be helpful to teach him how to step up onto a hand held perch for moments when he's 'acting out'.

You're doing the absolute right thing by holding your ground!!

 

[Birdman666]

Well, distinguish between aggression and wanting to play...

Sarah and Maggie chase each other all over the house, and it looks like Maggie's trying to tear her toes off...

Until Sarah sits down next to her, and Maggie climbs on her lap.

Maybe this bird is used to some sort of rough floor play?!

So answer that question first.

Some do give chase on the floor. The first time you get a pillow, and back their little butts into a corner with it, is pretty much the last time that ever happens.

NOW STEP UP NICE! GOOD BIRD! (Reward for being good.)

BOUNDARY SETTING. FIRM HAND. WE DON'T CHASE PEOPLE. WE DON'T BITE. WE STEP UP WHEN WE ARE TOLD TO STEP UP... No fuss. No drama, just put a stop to it.

THE "KNOCK IT OFF" COMMAND IS A GOOD ONE...

 

[labell]

Years ago I was brought a B&G that the people were terrified of him tearing off their toes because while on the floor he would chase peoples feet. It didn't help that he had an absolutely maniacal laugh while doing it.

After a few days in my care the regular methods weren't working and he continued to try this with me. So I stood still and let him come thinking well I have 10 lets see if he leaves me any. So here he comes racing toward my feet and I am gearing myself up for a good chomp when he grabs my big toe, tonguing it I might add, laughing the whole time and then raced away. He then stopped looking back at me and my hunch was spot on... he wanted me to chase him and tickle his feet! So after some bite pressure training and showing the owners that he really just wanted to play, all was well.

Some where in his past someone had taught him this game and I think he became frustrated that no one knew the rules and would play along. Once that was established he was actually quite gentle but he still did the evil laugh which was a hoot once you realized that missing toes weren't part of the game.

 

[Christinenc2000]

Years ago I was brought a B&G that the people were terrified of him tearing off their toes because while on the floor he would chase peoples feet. It didn't help that he had an absolutely maniacal laugh while doing it.

After a few days in my care the regular methods weren't working and he continued to try this with me. So I stood still and let him come thinking well I have 10 lets see if he leaves me any. So here he comes racing toward my feet and I am gearing myself up for a good chomp when he grabs my big toe, tonguing it I might add, laughing the whole time and then raced away. He then stopped looking back at me and my hunch was spot on... he wanted me to chase him and tickle his feet! So after some bite pressure training and showing the owners that he really just wanted to play, all was well.

Some where in his past someone had taught him this game and I think he became frustrated that no one knew the rules and would play along. Once that was established he was actually quite gentle but he still did the evil laugh which was a hoot once you realized that missing toes weren't part of the game.

That is so funny. SO glad you found out what the little fella wanted.

 

[Birdman666]

Most macs regurge on toes... I don't know why. Someone said wiggling your toes for them reminds them of baby birds in the nest. I'm not sure I buy that, but for what ever reason, they are attracted to toes....

SOME OF THEM, NOT IN A GOOD WAY... most of them, behave. You definitely need to find out which one this is. If it's the bad way, then nip it in the bud. If it's the good way, then wiggle your toes and play with the bird! He's just being goofy...

Sweepea likes to perch on my toes, and tickle the bottom of my feet. She will sit there running her beak along my feet sideways, and I can see her eyes watching me intently looking for the slightest clue that she got the tickle spot...

I enjoy this version of the "made you jump" game a lot more than some of the other "made you jump" games they play...

Big Macs play rough, and often are mistaken for being aggressive when they just want to play....

Like the freindly dog that you push away, and he comes growling, and attacking, and acting like he's gonna tear you apart, when he's just playing...

Often times that's what it is. Then people over react, and the bird reacts to the person who reacted to it, THEN THE BIRD REALLY DOES BECOME AGGRESSIVE!

 

[Birdman666]

Years ago I was brought a B&G that the people were terrified of him tearing off their toes because while on the floor he would chase peoples feet. It didn't help that he had an absolutely maniacal laugh while doing it.

ACTUALLY, THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT MAGGIE DOES!!!

The "Death From Above" game. She'll go big bird, and do the maniacal laugh, and the crazed eyes thing... (We call it the evil laugh.) Sarah screams and yells "death from above," and Maggie makes a B line down her cage, and chases her around the room...

IT'S A GAME!!! And it's actually funnier than hell... everyone laughs the most when we play this one... AND THE BIRD INSTIGATES IT.

 

[Runzbarrel]

He's around 11yo. Hormones was my first thought since he's OCD on the regurgitating. He's sneaky about it too. He'll stick his foot out like he wants to step up but then try and regurg on my hand. I politely tell him no thank you and turn away.
I'm not sure he's playing a game when he's on the ground. He doesn't run after me. I'll let him down for a few minutes but when I go to pick him back up he snaps at me. He got me the other day but it wasn't a full on bite. If I get down on his level and talk nice and pet him he softens back up and steps up. He's very aggressive when approached with a perch to step up on. Not sure if there's some bad history there. I'm his 3rd owner. His original owners had him for 10 years since a baby and the guy I got him from only had him since last year.

labell that is freakin hilarious!!!!

 

[Christinenc2000]

My B & G will regurgitate on me at least twice a day. And he does just like yours he sticks his foot out waits for my hand and feeds me.
From what I read. Food is so very precious to them. He does this to share with the person he loves so you would not have to work hard or do without .

Now If I can get him to STOP feeding his rope toy lol

I am the 3rd owner of mine. I can not and will not approach him with a perch in my hand. I can see he is scared of it.

 

[Runzbarrel]

I don't mind the regurgitating. I know why he does it and I know I can't stop him from doing it. He does well with ignoring and then he stops for awhile. If he starts doing it too much while he's on me I will go put him back on his perch.

 

[Birdman666]

Maggie actually asks me in human, the same way I ask her when I have treats, and this is my clue that it's coming: "WANT SOME?!"

Then she grabs my fingers, and does the happy head bob thing with MY fingers in HER beak... Then she'll tell me "It's good!"

Both my macs have been trained to eat what they bring up when regurging for me. Both my macs do this one, actually, several times per day...

My red front doesn't ask. She just pins my hand down with her foot and starts banging away with her beak on it...

I've never been around a mac who doesn't.

 

[Birdman666]

I'm not sure he's playing a game when he's on the ground. He doesn't run after me. I'll let him down for a few minutes but when I go to pick him back up he snaps at me. He got me the other day but it wasn't a full on bite. If I get down on his level and talk nice and pet him he softens back up and steps up.

Yeah, that sounds more like I DON'T WANNA... than playing... and you're dealing with it exactly right.

And those times he doesn't soften up, you firm up. It should be fine.

 

[Birdman666]

He's very aggressive when approached with a perch to step up on. Not sure if there's some bad history there. I'm his 3rd owner. His original owners had him for 10 years since a baby and the guy I got him from only had him since last year.

I've got an amazon that a former owner used to BEAT with a dowel perch. Trying to teach the poor bird to step up...

"If you'd step up I wouldn't have to beat you with a stick."

When I got her she had severe phobic disorders, and was one of the worst biters we ever had...

NOW, of course, she's my flock leader!!!

PEOPLE do dumb things with perches trying to get their attention, and then they become defensive and afraid of them.

That's another one of those things I will never understand...

 

[labell]

Maggie actually asks me in human, the same way I ask her when I have treats, and this is my clue that it's coming: "WANT SOME?!"

Then she grabs my fingers, and does the happy head bob thing with her fingers in my beak... Then she'll tell me "It's good!"

Both my macs have been trained to eat what they bring up when regurging for me. Both my macs do this one, actually, several times per day...

My red front doesn't ask. She just pins my hand down with her foot and starts banging away with her beak on it...

I've never been around a mac who doesn't.

Okay Mark I snort laughed, you realize you wrote with her fingers in my beak....have you been around fids so long you grew a beak and Maggie has fingers? ROTFLMAO!!

 

[Birdman666]

I didn't even realize I was dyslexic... (apparently only when I type.)

There I fixed it...

Talk about learning a phrase in context... that's pretty clear evidence.

"Want some? It's good."

It would be a conditioned response if they were saying it in response to MY having food... but when they're bringing up food and offering to share?!

Pretty amazing stuff!